Way too many turnovers
Saying that Illinois was careless with the ball would be an understatement. Illinois had a whopping 15 turnovers in the first half. As mentioned earlier, the Illini were lucky enough to only be down by a point at halftime with their turnovers.
In the second half, they played better but still ended up with 11 turnovers in the half. They shot it way better in the second half as well but you cannot have 26 total turnovers and expect to win the game.
It is only the third game of the season so no need to panic with this being their first road game over the year, but this needs to get corrected and improved on moving forward. Illinois is way too talented to be having 26 turnovers in a game.
Trent Frazier was the best player on the floor
Illinois needed somebody to step up tonight against Marquette and Trent Frazier was that guy. When Illinois needed a basket Frazier seemed to always answer and come through.
Trent Frazier finished the game with a game-high 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists. The fifth-year senior shot 6-10 from downtown on the night. Frazier also surpassed a milestone of hitting over 250 made three-point field goals in his Illinois career. Many more games remaining to add to that total.
The experienced guard in Frazier knew he would need to step up in the absence of Cockburn down low and he really answered the bell. It is just a shame that Frazier had this type of game in a losing effort. If not for Frazier you have to think that Marquette wins this matchup rather easily against Illinois.
With the return of Kofi Cockburn, it should only free up shooters like Frazier more when the big man gets double-teamed. Trent Frazier will have a monster year for Illinois in his last go around.